The Joint Military Task Force (JTF) in Niger Delta, Operation Delta Safe, has killed five suspected militants and two pirates in the last three days.

The spokesman, Lt.-Commander. Thomas Osuji, told reporters in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State that the task force had also arrested three other suspects.

Osuji said the arrest was made at Ikot Ene, Akpabuyo Local Government Area of Cross River.

He said the troops had also rescued a boat laden with rice and some passengers earlier seized by suspected members of a gang Bakassi Strike Force.

He said, the suspects were killed by troops from Sector 4 in conjunction with some local vigilantes at Parrot Island, Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross River State.

“The militants had earlier seized the boat conveying large quantities of rice from a marketer and the passengers on board, asking the owner of the rice to pay N500,000 ransom.

“The troops placed a bait on the suspects during the rescue operation and later professionally engaged the militants in a gun duel, killing five of them and rescuing the passengers unhurt,” Osuji said.

He said the pirates were killed by troops from Sector 3 stationed at Idama Waterside in Rivers State.

The spokesman said a life vest; one Ak-47 riffle; two AK-47 magazines and 40 pieces of 7.62 mm special ammunition were recovered.